Sticky Floors and Rotten Roots: Saving Indoor Date Palms from Scale and Rot

Dual Problem

1. Scale insects: Honeydew → sticky floors/furniture. Check frond undersides, stems (5 mm round/oval bumps), mealybugs at frond crotches.
2. Root rot: Rotten-egg smell from root ball = anaerobic decay from oversaturation.

Immediate Repotting Fix

• Pot shards over drainage holes.
• 1+ inch gravel base.
• Peat-based (high organic) mix.
• Leave 6" headspace for watering.

Watering Regimen

• Allow root balls to dry out.
• Water when surface dry at 1-knuckle depth.
• No standing water in saucer >2 hours.

Scale Treatment

Outdoors: natural predators control scale. Indoors: treat with insecticidal soap, oil, or systemic (see Article 3660).